Lewiston man gets 35 to life for child abuse

Warren Hamilton in court Thursday.

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Story Published: Nov 19, 2009 at 9:57 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2009 at 11:32 AM PST

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - A Lewiston man received eight 35 years to life sentences Thursday for years of admitted sexual abuse of two girls.

Warren Hamilton pleaded guilty in August to eight of 13 child sex abuse counts, stemming from incidents between 2003 and 2007. Six of the counts are for the abuse of his stepdaughter beginning in 2003, when she was 13, though according to investigators , the abuse began when she was 7.

Deputy Prosecutor Mia Vowels cited a lengthy criminal history, including charges of theft, forgery, rape, and lewd conduct, as reasons for a recommendation of life in prison. District Judge Carl Kerrick imposed 35 years-to life in prison on each of the counts,to be served consecutively.

The announcement prompted a tearful reaction from one of the victims in the courtroom. The woman, who was impregnated by Hamilton when she was a teenager, said in a statement she was robbed of her childhood.

"He kept them captive to the point where they were so afraid to tell," said Vowles. "He physically abused them, threatened them, and constantly showed how much power he had over them."

Hamilton is already serving a 3-7 year sentence for a previous conviction.

He is currently in the Nez Perce County Jail.

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